[legion]

The specific steps vary greatly based on the size of the estate, how complicated it is to administer, and the state of residence.

My dad died 12 years ago, he was essentially indigent, owed way more than he had, had few heirs, very little in liquid assets, and lived in Tennessee. It still took me a year of court dates to resolve everything.

Talk with the lawyer, it will be worth more than the speculation we can give you. Your state laws may require very different procedures than what any of us have experienced.